Separator



ay 8, i923.

T. J. STURTEVANT SEPARATOR Filed July '7, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmv //\/ VEN TOR .j

, h.; `BY

ANN

ATTORNEY mwN ml. um

T. J. sTURTEvANT May 8, i923.

SEPARATOR Filed July '7, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /A/l/E/VTOR ATTQR/VEY Patented May 8, 19723..

THOMAS J. STURTEVANT, OF WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS, SSIGNOR TO STURTE- VANT MILL COMPANY, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.

SEPARATOR.

Application med my 7, 1922. serial No. 573,432.

To all whom it may comer/n.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. STURTE- vANT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wellesley, in the county of Norfolk and State 'of Massachusetts, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Separators, of which the following is a specification.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to screen separators for grading materials, and more particularly to means to agitate or vibrate the screen or screensto keep the meshes thereof in open condition for eflicient grading effect.

Heretofore, various devices have been provided for vibrating a screen, and among others, eccentrics have been employed, but these have had substantial eccentricity and have been directly connected to the screen. Therefore, they have necessarily been rotated at a comparatively low speed, since otherwise the eccentric would be quickly worn out and the screen would soon be shaken to pieces.

The present invention employes an eccentric mechanism to vibrate the screen, but so far as I am aware, the mechanism is radically different from any hitherto employed. The eccentric has slight eccentricity, and it is rotated at high speed, the comstruction being such that the screen is effectively agitated or vibrated. A The present invention contemplates that the vibratory movements produced by the eccentric may act in a direction transverse to the plane of the screen, and desirably may be applied at a. point Within the bound# aries of the screen frame. Preferably-the eccentric is not connected to the screen, and the means for transmitting the vibratory movements from the eccentric to the screen is independent from the screen, so that theeccentric may operate it with hammer-like action and impart a rapld succession of blows to the screen.

The character of the invention willbe best understood by reference to the following description of one good form thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a separator embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a ,portion of the separator;

Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale is a transverse section through the separator, taken on lline 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section through a portion of the eccentric vibrating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings,V the separator shown therein as one good form of the invention, comprises a frame 1 (Fig. 1) supporting a casing in inclined position. This casing comprises a bottom 3, sides 5, and a cover 7 having its upper end connected to the body by a pair of hinges such as the hinge 9.

. To introduce materials to be graded into this casing, a feed box 11 is provided at `the upper end of the casing and in communication therewith. The materials are introduced into the feed box at one end thereof through a neck 13, and are conducted longitudinally of the feed box by a screw conveyer 15 which may be driven by usual lwell knownA means, unnecessary to` show herein. The materials fed along the feed box by the conveyer, flow over a distributing plate 17 held in different vertical positions by adjusting screws v19. The mater-ials flowmg over the distributor plate, gravitate downward and are directed into the upper end ofthe casing by a de- {iecting plate 21. Hinge doors 23 and 25 enable ready access to the parts contained within the feed box. I p

A screen or screens may bel mounted in the casing, and in the present instance, two

screens are employed, one an upper orscalper screen, and the` other a lower or fine screen.

The upper screen comprises screen clothing 27 which may be stretched on a frame having side members 29 connected by end members 31. Intermediate the side members and extending longitudinally of the screen is a ribbon-like member 33 which may be suitably secured to the screen clothing. Beneath the member 33 and at the opposite side of the screen clothing 27, is a longltudinal channel 35 secured to the end members 31 of the frame.

The upper screen, in the present instance, may be supported on hanger plates 37 secured to and depending from the -casing cover.

Rising from the opposite side members 29 of the screen, are inclined members 39 -als anl

adapted to engage the hanger plates 37 and .prevent materials escaping from the screen into the spaces between the side edges of the screen and the hanger plates.

To prevent the screen from sliding downward on the hangerplates, leaf springs 40 and then engage the ends of said springs.

and prevent they screen from sliding downward along the hanger plates.

The lower screen, in the present instance of the' invention, comprises screen clothing 41 finer than the screen clothing 27, and mounted on a frame having side members 43 connected by end members 45. Rising lfrom the side members 43 are inclined members 47 adapted to engage the sides of the casing and prevent materials from escaping from the screen into the spaces between the side edges of the screen and the sides of the casing.

The lower portion of the screen is supported on a pair of leaf springs 49 (Fig. 1) having their lower ends secured to brackets 51 mounted on the sides of the casing. The upper ends of these leaf springsv engage angle plates 53 secured to the side members 43 of the screen frame, ,the construction being such that the lower portion of the screen is yieldingly supported by the leaf springs 49, and the screen is prevented from. slidln downward by engagement of the angle p ates 53 with the upper ends of the leaf springs. The upper portion of the.

lower screen is su rt described. pp() rlhe means for vibrating. the screens, in the present instance of the invention, comprises a support conveniently in the form of horizontal channels 49 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured to the sides 5 of the casing, and secured to 'uprights of the frame 1 referred to. Bridglng and supported by the channels 49,'1s a channel 51 suitably secured thereto. p v

Mounted on the channel 51 is a casing, in the resent instance, comprising a pair cfl head2 53, having feet 55 resting on and secured to the channel 51. interposed between the heads 53 and fitting in grooves formed therein, is a barrel or cylinder 57,

by means to be theheads and barrel being secured in assembled (Fi. 4).

i' n. heads 53 have recesses receiving ball relation by through bolts 59 bearings 61, in which is journalled a horizontal shaft 63, flexibly connected by a coil spring coupling with an electric motor 67.

The shaft 63 is formed to present an eccentric 69 having a slight eccentricity, such, for example, as 31E of an inch. Encircling the eccentric is a grooved ring 71 having an internal diameter larger than the eccentric, to enable introduction of a ball bearing 73 therebetween.

A shoe or follower 75 (Figs. 3 and 4) fits in the groove of the ring 71, and is provided with a neck 77 threaded on the lower end of a rod 79 which extends upwardly in an inclined direction through the bottom of the casing and toward the lower screen.

The barrel or cylinder 57 has a boss 81 projecting therefrom, and a column 83 has a flange 85 secured to said boss by screw bolts 87. This column receives the rod 79, extends upward through the bottom of the casing, and has a bearing 89 at the upper end thereof, desirably square in cross section. A` sleeve 91 is threaded on the rod E79, and also is square in cross section, the

construction being such that the sleeve 91 may cooperate with the bearing 89 to guide the rod in its reciprocatory movements, and the sleeve will be prevented from turning in its bearing, owing to the square shape thereof.

When materials are being graded, the casing is filled with dust, and to prevent escape thereof from the casing along the column 83, a flexible washer 83a may embrace the column, and may be mounted on a ring 83b secured by bolts 83 to the bottom of the casing.

To reduce wear between the ring 71 on the eccentric and the shoe 75, it is desirable that the eccentric shall push the shoe, but not pull the same, and that there shall be no lost motion between the shoe and the ring. To accomplish this, in the present instance, the shoe is pressed against the ring by u coil spring 89 (Fig. 4) mounted in the column 83 and confined between an internal flange 93 of the column, and a nut 95 threaded on the follower rod 79.

To prevent dust from entering the casing containing the eccentric, the nut 95 ma V be formed to present an apron 97 which telescopes with a neck 99 rising from a ring 101 interposed between the boss 81 and the column flange 85.

The upper end of the follower rod carries a plate 103, which is confined between the upper end of the sleeve 91 and a nut 105 threaded on said rod and held by a lock washer 107.

A pair 'of bars 109 rest on the plate 103, and are disposed within a channel 111 cxtending transversely of the lower screen and secured to the side members 43 thereof. Said bars 109 are secured to the channel and screen by screw bolts 113 entered through a member 115 extending longitudinally of the screen and secured to the end members thereof.

The motor rotates at high speed, such, for example, as 1800 revolutions per minute, and through the coupling rotates the eccentric at the same speed. The eccentric rotates in the ball bearing 73, and gives the ring 71 a rapid reciprocatory movement, but the amplitude thereof is small, owing to the slight eccentricity of the eccentric. In the course of each rotation of the eccentric, the follower is pushed slightly upward, as are also the rod 79 and the plate 103 carried thereby. Also in the course of each rotation of the eccentric, the follower is pressed downward by the coil spring 89, thereby moving the rod and plate downward. The consequence is that the plate is rapidly reciprocated and acts through the bars 109, rapidly to reciprocate the lower screen transversely to the plane thereof.

The upper portion of the screen rests upon and is supported by the plate or support 103, and the lower portion of the screen, as stated, rests upon and is su ported by the leaf springs 49. These con itions and the resilient character of the frame supporting the screen, cause the screen to have vibrations independent of or out of sympathy with the vibratory movements of the 'plate 103. The screen and the bars 109 carried thereby, do not closely follow the downward movements of the plate, and -as a result,

- spaces will occur between them, so that when e plate moves upward, it will meet the downward moving bars 109 and strike the same rapid, sharp blows with hammer-likev action.

The amplitude or vibration of the screen is further increased beyond that of the hammer plate 103 by the fact that the area of the screen within the boundaries of its supporting frame, is caused to bulge up and down somewhat from the plane of the frame.

If very fine woven wire screen clothing is employed, a supporting screen 117 of larger mesh and coarser wire may be provided, and the substantial vibratory movements of this rating screen will cause the same to slap agalnst the fine screen thereon, and further contribute to the vibra-tion thereof.

Suitable means maybe provided to transmit vibrations from the eccentric mechanism to the upper or scalper screen. To accomplish this, in, the present instance, a stud 119 may project upward from the member 115 and engage the lower end of a pin 121 of wood or other suitable material. A

ferrule 123 fast on the pin 121, receives the" of the channel 35 referred to, which extends longitudinall of the screen. The construction is such that the vibratory movements of the lower screen will be transmitted by the stud and pin to the upper screen.

In Some instances it may be desirable yieldingly vto vpress the screens downwardv against the eccentric vibrating mechanism. To Ithis end a coil spring 127 may be interposed between the upper screen and the cas-- ing cover. The lower end of this spring may be centered by a stud 129 rising from the longitudinal member 33 of the screen,

and the upper end may engage a button 129.

cover, and contributing to proper position-v ing of the spring.

The adjustment of the spring 127 enables the screens to be pressed down toward the supporting plate 103 with a force which may be varied to regulate the amplitude of vibratory movement of the screen or screens in respect to the supporting plate. This is a desirable feature, since the vibration may be varied as best suited for classifying materials of different character. For certa-in work the downward pressure of the screens toward the Asupporting plate `may be increased so that the hammer blows of' the plate are so minute and rapid as to produce a humming sound, whereas, for other work the pressure may be adjusted to cause the hammer blows to be more distinct.

The casing containing the eccentric, ball bearing, ring and follower, and the bearings for the shaft, may be filled with grease to lubricate the arts in the casing. The bearing 89 for guiding the upper end of the follower rod, may be lubricated by a grease cup 137 (Fig. 1) connected by a. tube 139 with a tapped hole 14:1 (Fig. 4) in the colunln. x

Preferably the eccentric follower rod should extend substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the lower screen, and to aclll) complish this, it may be desirable to adjust or vary theangle of said rod. This may be readily accomplished by loose-ning the through bolts 59 referred` to, thereby to release the barrel 57, which together with the guide column may be rocked to the position desired, and then the through bolts 59 /may be tightened to secure the barrel in this position. f

Since the eccentric has slight eccentricty, it is important that it shall be relieved from wear, since any substantial wear thereon rable mechanism for giving the screen vi bration of highly desirable character which will keep the meshes of the screen in open condition for eicient grading of materials.

It will be understood that the i-nvention is no t limited to the specific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the sp-irit and scope of the appended claims.

l/Vhat is claimed iszl. A separator for grading materials, comprising, 1n combination, a screen, a support therefor beneath the screen, and meansfor Vibrating said support and screen including an eccentric mechanism connected to said support and having minute eccentricity and rotatable at h igh speed, said screen being unattached to said support, that it may float and tremble on the support with independent vibrations.

2. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, a hammer support, and means including an eccentric mechanism connected to said hammer screen with a rapid succession of blows, said l screen being mounted on the hammer support but unattached thereto and with the weight of the screen opposing the blows of the hammer support thereon.

3. A separator for gradingr materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, a support therefor beneath but unattached to the screen, a shaft, an eccentric mounted on said shaft and having minute eccentrici'ty, a follower for the eccentric, a member connected to said support and follower, and means tol rotate said shaft and eccentric at high speed and through said follower and member vibrate said support with minute amplitude of vibration.

4. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, a support therefor beneath the screen, means for vibrating said support and screen including means for reciprocating said support with a minute amplitude of vibration, said screen being unattached to said support, spring means for pressing said screen toward said support, and means for varying the tension ofthe. spring means.

5. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, spring means for supporting one end of the screen, a hammer for supporting the opposite end of the screen, and means for reciprocating the hammer to cause-the same to impart a rapid succession of blows to the screen, said screen being supported bythe hammer without attachment thereto.

- 6. A separator for grading materials comprising, in combination, a plurality` of screens in superposed relation, a hammer supporting the screens, means for recipro-l cating the hammer including an eccentric having minute eccentricity, and means for lrotating the eccentric at vhigh speed.

7. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, an inclined screen, spring means supporting the lower end of thel screen, a hammer member supporting the upper end of the screen without attachment thereto, and means for reciprocating the hammer including an eccentric having minute eccentricity and adapted to be rotated at high speed to cause the hammer to impart a rapid succession of minute blows to the screen.

8. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, an eccentric having slight eccentricity, a follower for said eccentric, means to press said follower against the periphery of the eccentric, thereby to prevent lost motion between them, and a member connected to said follower for `vibrating the screen without connection therewith.

9. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, an eccentric, a follower for the eccentric having a member for engagement with the screen, and spring means for pressing the screen against said member..

10. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, an eccentric, a follower for the eccentric having a member for engagement with the screen, means to prevent lost motion between theeccentric and follower, and means to press the screen against said member.

11. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, an inclined screen, means to .support the lower end thereof, an eccentric, a follower for the' eccentric, and means extending from the follower toward the screen and furnishing support for the upper end thereof and adapted to vibrate the screen on rotation of the'eccentric.

12. A separator for grading materials,

comprising, in combination, a screen, and

means for vibrating the screen comprising a casing having fixed heads, and a barrel rotatively adjustable on said heads, a shaft journalled in said heads, an eccentric on said shaft, a follower for the eccentric having a member projecting through said barrel toward said screen, and a guide for said member mounted on said barrel and rotatively adjustable therewith.

ion

13. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, upper and lower screens, means including an eccentric for vibrating the lower screen, -means to transmit reciprocatory movements from the lower screen to the upper screen, and spring means tending to press the upper and 'lower screens downwardly.

14.1% separator for grading materials,

comprising, in combination, upper and lower screens, means including an eccentric and its follower for vibrating the lower screen, means for transmitting` vibratory movements from the follower to the upper screen, and spring means operating through the transmitting means and the follower for pressing the latter toward the eccentric.

15. A separator 'for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen comprising a frame and screen clothing thereon, an eccentric having minute eccentricity and an encircling strap, a follower engaging the periphery of said strap, a rod extending from the follower toward the screen, spring means to .press thev follower against the strap, and means to rotate the eccentric at high s eed.

16. separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, an eccentric having a strap encircling the same, a ball bearing between the eccentric and the strap, means to rotate the eccentric at high speed, and means'including a transmitting member extending from the strap toward the screen to impart a rapid succession of minute vibratory movements to the screen.

17. A separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, a screen, a support for the screen beneath but not secured thereto, and reciprocating mechanism having provision for imparting to the support a rapid succession of. minute lifting move- 'ments of uniform definite amplitude, thereby to place the screen in a highly vibrant condition.

' THOMAS J. STURTEVANT. 

